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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






2. Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times.






3. The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






4. A direction to play lively and fast.






5. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






6. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






7. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






8. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






9. A period in history dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. This period signified the rebirth of music - art - and literature.






10. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






11. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.






12. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.






13. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






14. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






15. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






16. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






17. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






18. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






19. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






20. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






21. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






22. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






23. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






24. The movement of chords in succession.






25. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






26. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






27. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






28. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.






29. A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.






30. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






31. The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key.For example: A minor shares the same note as C major.






32. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






33. Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also - the study of music.






34. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






35. A chord comprised of three whole tones resulting in an augmented fourth or diminished fifth.






36. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






37. A style of singing which is characterized by the easy and flowing tone of the composition.






38. The principal note of a triad.






39. Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times.






40. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






41. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






42. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






43. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






44. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






45. A repeated phrase.






46. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






47. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






48. Repetition of a single tone.






49. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






50. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.